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Do you think the Buggery Law should be?

The Safe House Homeless LGBTQ Project 2009 a detailed look & more

In response to numerous requests for more information on the defunct Safe House Pilot Project that was to address the growing numbers of displaced and homeless LGBTQ youth in Kingston in 2007/8/9, a review of the relevance of the project as a solution, the possible avoidance of present issues with some of its previous residents if it were kept open. Recorded June 12, 2013; also see from the former Executive Director named in the podcast more background on the project: HERE also see the beginning of the issues from the closure of the project: The Quietus ……… The Safe House Project Closes and The Ultimatum on December 30, 2009

Ever since the Stonewall rebellion, the gay and lesbian community has grown in strength and visibility. The bisexual community also has grown in strength but in many ways we are still invisible. I too have been conditioned by society to automatically label a couple walking hand in hand as either straight or gay, depending upon the perceived gender of each person.

”

This celebration of bisexuality in particular, as opposed to general LGBT events, was conceived as a response to the prejudice and marginalization of the bisexual persons by some in both thestraight and greater LGBT communities.

In its first year, an observance was held during the International Lesbian and Gay Association, which occurred during the week of the 23rd. While at first it only took hold in areas with an extremely strong bisexual presence, it is now celebrated worldwide.

It features event such as discussions, dinner parties and dances in Toronto and a large masquerade ball in Queensland, Australia. At Texas A&M University, the week featured discussion panels and question-and-answer sessions. Princeton University celebrates this day each year by throwing a party at its LGBT Center.

Unfortunately in Jamaica either our advocates haven't matured to the recognition of bisexuals as a part of our struggle or we can't be bothered as "batty business" is more important when some of the very issues of homophobia as we call it are not really so but bi-phobia if one were to closely examine the details at times.

JFLAG has Allsexuals included in their acronym I suppose to cover all other orientations and variants outside of the original LGBT population but I never heard of any direct meetings, interventions or strategies to engage this section of the population.

I would hate to think that our advocacy representatives are themselves guilty of bi-phobia in the form of bisexual erasure (the tendency to ignore, remove, falsify, or reexplain evidence of bisexuality in history, academia, the news media, and other primary sources.

In its most extreme form, bisexual erasure can include denying that bisexuality exists). Inclusiveness is the name of the game now if we are to get anywhere but with the elitist position taken by the group one wonders when will we begin to move on anything?

It is refreshing to see other individual voices saying their piece and going out on their own, I would love to see an all out Jamaican bisexual website or at the very least a couple of blogs

Let us hope in the near future something can be done about that either by them despite the insulation or some other group, organization or individuals.

Alexander Johnson, discussing drug deals and even diamond smuggling from Africa to Europe.Banton's fans, who had turned out in their numbers for the trial that started on Monday, were also stung by the recordings which were made between July and December 10, 2009 when Banton and two other men were arrested in Florida and slapped with cocaine-related charges.

The fans appeared deflated, coming off a high on Monday when the chief investigator in the matter said he had no evidence that Banton was a cocaine trafficker.Yesterday, as the tapes were being played, one woman could be seen clutching her head and covering her ears. Others sat attentively, captivated by the conversations between the four-time Grammy nominee and Johnson, a convicted drug trafficker who has been working with the US Government since 1996 to sink other narco dealers.Also played for the court was the video recording of December 8, 2009 in which Banton was seen tasting cocaine from a knife given to him by his long-time friend Ian Thomas after he used it to cut open a package containing five kilogrammes of cocaine during an undercover operation by the Sarasota Police Department at a warehouse.Thomas was heard on the video saying that the cocaine was fish scale. Johnson later told the court that the term meant that the drug was of a high quality.

The mood, however, changed somewhat in the late afternoon when Banton's lawyer started his examination of Johnson, who agreed that the singer did not finance the drug deal for which he, along with Thomas and James Mack from Georgia was arrested and charged with conspiracy to distribute five kilogrammes of cocaine.Thomas and Mack have since pleaded guilty and have agreed to give evidence against the singer. The prosecution had on Monday indicated to the court that it would not call Thomas as a witness.

If found guilty, Banton could be sentenced to life imprisonment or slapped with millions of US dollars in fines.Before the recordings were played yesterday, Johnson testified that he met Banton on a flight from Madrid, Spain, to Miami, Florida in July 2009. The flight lasted eight hours, Johnson said, and a conversation about drug dealing came up within an hour.He said it was the singer who raised the issue. Johnson, who avoided looking at Banton during his evidence-in-chief, said immediately after landing he informed the police about his conversation with Banton which jump-started the investigation that included the recordings.

Johnson told the court that he met with Banton the following day, July 27, to further discuss the drug-trafficking venture, which he said the artiste was interested in starting.The prosecution then played the expletive-laced recordings, which were made between July and December and in which the 37-year-old Banton was heard telling Johnson, "I am about making money, straight up".Banton was also heard asking Johnson if he had any contacts to acquire cocaine as he was willing to finance a deal. He also told Johnson that he did not have contacts in Venezuela and Panama, but that he was involved in smuggling diamonds from Africa to Europe.

He was also heard telling Johnson that: "It would be good to have our own contacts," and that he would like to start small, as "I don't want to take any risks".The artiste also warned the informant that he should stay away from a man known as Lloyd Evans as he was a snitch."There are a lot of snitches in the game," Banton warned Johnson at one point, saying that it was hard for him to find anyone to trust.Banton, dressed in a grey sports coat, shook his head while the recordings were being played and at some points appeared tense.As the recordings kept rolling, some people in the courtroom chuckled in disbelief. Others seemed captivated.

In one conversation Banton was heard cursing and complaining to Johnson that the gay community, particularly the gay rights group GLAD (Gays and Lesbians Advocates and Defenders), was trying to ruin his career.Banton had been at odds with the gay community since the 1990s following the release of his anti-gay monster hit BoomBye Bye.He was also heard complaining of being stressed out and said that he had 15 kids whose school fees needed to be paid.With the case appearing to swing in favour of the prosecution, supporters who had earlier that morning held hands and prayed inside the 13A courtroom for an acquittal -- as has been their routine since the trial started -- expressed hope that the pendulum would again swing in their favour as it approached time for Johnson to be placed under the spotlight of cross-examination from lead defence attorney Markus.Markus stood, took to the podium with his papers. Banton's supporters held their breath. He politely greeted the 14 jurors -- two of whom are African-Americans, the others white -- then Johnson, and proceeded to whip out a card on which he had key parts of Johnson's evidence typed. On one side of the card, displayed for jurors to see, were a set of check boxes in which he ticked when Johnson answered a question posed."Mr Myrie did not invest any money in any drug deal?"Markus asked."With me? No," the reply came.Johnson, a Colombian who had served three years for drug-trafficking and was spared deportation in order to work with the US Government as an informant, said the artiste never sold or bought drugs and had never wired any money to him to invest in the illicit trade.Johnson also admitted that Banton had never purchased any cocaine in Panama or Colombia and that their dealings never went beyond talk.He, however, said that Banton had changed his mind from the initial talks of wanting to traffic drugs to making quick cash. Johnson said that was how the eight kilogrammes of cocaine came into play.The informant did not readily answer when Markus asked if Myrie had stopped taking his calls following the warehouse meeting of December 8."Didn't Ian Thomas tell you, 'He [Myrie] does not want to do anything man? Talk to me. That's not him. He is about music, he eats and sleeps the music'?" Markus asked, to which Johnson replied 'yes'.

Markus is contending that his client had got cold feet and backed out of any previous talks to finance any drug venture and had stopped taking Johnson's calls, and that Thomas took over the deal.But Johnson stuck to his guns, saying that it was Banton and Thomas who approved the deal, even though the US$130,000 may have come from two men in Georgia called Ike and Tyke.Johnson also told the court that he had no knowledge that Myrie had financed the deal in the police-controlled warehouse that led to Thomas and Mack's arrest while attempting to purchase cocaine from US Drug Enforcement Agency agents.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Jamaica had a small team at the gay games recently in July of this year, the two man, two woman team traveled all the way to Cologne to appear in the opening ceremony where one female member appeared in the combined choir. A male representative appeared in a track and field event while the other female member played in a football match as well.

Here is a first hand take in great colourful Jamaican colloquial terms on one of the participants experience at the Gay Games Cologne 2010 (photos taken in and around Cologne)

"My journey started on Wednesday July 28th with my 6:10am flight from Jamaica to New York. (Dem seh mi haffi reach a di airport by 3:00am! Dem head tek dem?!?!?!? Mi neva reach ‘til 4:15am. Mid did waan sleep yah) Anyway, from New York the next leg of the journey was to Frankfurt which and then from Frankfurt via train to Cologne. (di train fast yuh si! 250+

kilometers per hour dem seh.)

Of interest though was the fact that my luggage mysteriously disappeared on route, so I left Frankfurt with only stuff in my carry-on bag. I was told that someone would pick me up at the train station and then I was to go directly to the accreditation center.

Unfortunately, di people dem neva memba mi at all! Bwoy, soh life guh. Anyhow, when I eventually got to the accreditation center they weren’t ready for anyone as I arrived at 9:30 and they weren’t scheduled to be opened before midday at the earliest. (So weh di heck dem tell mi fig oh deh fah so early den eeh? SMDH!) After a long wait and getting bored, I decided to assist them in getting the place ready. At the appointed time I was registered etc and then I bummed a lift from one of the volunteers to take me to the place that I was supposed to be staying at.

Went inside the ceramics store downstairs as instructed in the email, got the keys and then proceeded to climb the umpteen stairs up to the fifth floor where I was staying. (wid mi totally rotten knee dem)

After settling in, I proceeded to take a nap and then was awoken by our hosts as they weren’t there when I first arrived. They introduced themselves then invited me downstairs to the living room to hang out with them, awaiting my friends arrival. (By this time mi did fid eh a di people dem choir practice but mi did tiad yah man. Plus mi luggage neva reach yet and mi did waan bathe etc) During this time we were also awaiting my luggage as the airline promised to get it to me asap. Fortunately it arrived at about 9:30pm that night. After this, both ladies asked me to go with them to find my friend as she hadn’t yet arrived and they were worried that she may have been lost. (Mi knee dem di a kill mi but dem bad mi up so mi goh wid dem.) Truth be told it made

sense for me to go as they didn’t have any idea what she looked like. We walked to the under ground train station and waited for about 40 – 45 minutes before she eventually arrived.

The following day (Thursday) I went to choir practice for most of the day. Actually it started at

9:00am but I didn’t get there until about midday and it continued until 10:30pm. My sojourn into being lost in around the various train stations began that night. (Memba mi tell yuh, if there was a way for me to get lost, I DID! SMDH!). From the train station at Rudolphplatz to the home should take about 3 – 5 minutes. That night it took me 45 minutes! Mi seh, mi lost ‘til it look a way. Mi walk inna circles ‘til mi get frustrated. The road that I was staying on was Erenstrasse, but there was another close by named Ebenstrasse. I couldn’t remember which was which, so I walked in circles for a while, doing all over the place. Eventually I got home at about 11:30pm, bex out hell! LOL! Fool mi fool.

For the remainder of the week, I had choir practice until the day of the opening ceremony which was Saturday August 1 at FC Cologne Stadium. I participated in the parade of countries with my friend, and then after walking in with our Jamaica sign, I left her to join up with the choir to perform.

I felt proud that out small nation was represented despite the problems of homophobia.

After the performance, I left as my knees were in pretty bad shape and I ended up having to elevate and ice them for a few hours. I didn’t leave the house the following day, but on the Monday I went to Neumarkt where I purchased a knee brace and then went walk-about and train hopping for a few hours. Daily, I would routinely go out to explore the sites and sounds of each train stop along the way from the Junkersdorf in the east to Rheinenergie Stadion, Universitatstrasse all the way to Messe Deutz to the north west and Zulpicher to South. I indulged at a couple of the ice-cream stores, had brunch at the 4 Cani della Città

café, lunch a few times at McDonalds and dinner at the Pizzeria down the road. Additionally I visited the gay villages at both

Rudolphplatz and Neumarkt. There was a women’s place at Neumarkt, where I hung out as well and had cappuccinos and flirted or just read. I walked on the “Walk of Fame” (with a red carpet and hugelounging cushions no less) which was close to where we stayed and was mainly for the gay boys but was still an option for a few of the ladies. (I basically used it as a short cut to get to the Supermarket)

This was the pattern for the remainder of my time there apart from two occasions. The first was when my colleague and I attended a special meeting for all scholarship recipients on Saturday August 7 and the second was when one of our hostesses took us on a tour of Heumarkt. While there we went walk-about and saw several historical sites as well as visited the Ludwig museum, which was showing many different pieces of expressionist art.

Exhibitions included pieces by Picasso, Roy Lichtenstein and paintings of Australian Aborigines among many others.

(Unfortunately I wasn’t allowed to take any pictures inside but I was able to snap two on the outside). We visited the Hohe Domkirche St. Peter and Mary Gothic Cathedral (known to the layman as the Dom Cathedral) for which construction began in 1248 and finished in 1880.

An interesting point is that it is actually a working cathedral which hosts masses on a weekly

basis. I had the opportunity to take the attached photos of some of its contents as well as outside shots.

The following day was Monday August 9 and my train left Cologne at 6:00am for Frankfurt, from there I flew to Miami (backside 9½ hour flight!) and then next here to Jamaica."

It was a wonderful experience for us as we really felt good representing our island there and the reception was wonderful towards us being there.

TAMPA, Florida — Jamaicans in Florida have consistently poured out their support for jailed international Reggae star Buju Banton. His songs get good rotation here and there was even a short-lived 'Free Buju' movement.As the entertainer's Monday trial date looms, supporters living here have expressed their desire to see the four-time Grammy nominee freed of the drug-related charges against him.

Some supporters here believe that the artiste is innocent and that he had been set up. They are, however, split on just who set up the Banton, whose given name is Mark Myrie.

On one hand there are those who believe, as Banton's legal team is contending, that the Government had set up the artiste. But there are those who believe that he was set up by the "powerful and influential" gay community.One of those who believes that the gay community is behind the arrest of the artiste — whose anti-homosexual lyrics have earned their wrath -- is Kenyo Rose, 33, of Tampa.

"I believe the gay community is behind the arrest because of the fight they always give him," Rose, himself a Reggae artiste who goes by the name J Rose, formerly Wicked, told the Sunday Observer yesterday.

"In the US the gay community has a lot of power and money too. When somebody wants you they are going to find a way to get you," said Rose.Banton and the gay community have been at odds since the 1990s when he made the monster hit single Boom Bye Bye, which advocates death for homosexuals. The gay community's protests have led to several of the artiste's shows in the United States being cancelled.

The years of acrimony between Banton and the gay community and the financial toll it has taken on the artiste forced Banton last year October to meet with members of the gay community in Los Angeles.Though Rose feels that Banton may be innocent, he said the only way the artiste could walk was if he cuts a deal with prosecutors.

Another Jamaican, who gave her name as Kizzy, did not want to ascribe innocence or guilt to the artiste but said that Banton deserved a second chance, in that he should be acquitted."I think he deserves a second chance," Kizzy, 33, told the Sunday Observer. "But if he did what they say he did, that's wrong.

Another Jamaican, who gave his name only as Donovan and who is a soldier in the US army, said Banton deserved prison if he is found guilty as charged. Donovan, who was visiting family in this city, bemoaned what he said was a great deal of drug-related crimes being committed in Jamaica.

The trial against Banton is expected to start tomorrow at the Middle District Court in this Florida city.

Banton and two other men — James Mack and Ian Thomas — were arrested last year in south Florida and charged with conspiracy to possess more than five kilogrammes of cocaine with intent to distribute. Mack was also charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offence.

However, Banton's two co-accused recently copped plea deals with prosecutors, agreeing to testify against the artiste in return for light sentences.Banton's legal team said it was not perturbed by the development, and expressed confidence that a jury would return a not guilty verdict.

After catching midway a radio discussion on the subject of Jamaica being labelled as homophobic I did a quick look at the long held belief in Jamaica by anti gay advocates, sections of media and homophobes that several murders of alleged gay victims are in fact 'crimes of passion' or have jealousy as their motives but it is not as simple or generalized as that.

Listen without prejudice to this and other podcasts on one of my Soundcloud channels

Nationwide New Network, NNN devoted some forty five minutes of prime time yesterday evening to discuss the issue and help listeners to at least begin to process some of the information coming from the most public declaration exercise as done by Jenner. Guests on the show were Dr Karen Carpenter Board Certified Clinical Sexologist and Psychologist, ‘Satiba’ from Aphrodite’s P.R.I.D.E Jamaica of which I am affiliated and Lecturer (Sociologist) and host of Every Woman on the station Georgette Crawford Williams (sister of PNP member of parliament Damian Crawford); one of the first questions thrown at Satiba by host Cliff Hughes was why has Jenna waited so long at 65 years old to make such a life changing decision?

Satiba responded that many transwomen have to hide their true identity in life .... given her life when she was younger she was a star athlete she would have been under tremendous precious to stay in from the expectations by the public and her team etc, also owing to the fact that she had a family as a man with children one may not want to upset the flow at that time until the kids are old enough. There is a lot of burden of guilt that some persons carry in weighing the decisions of coming out or transitioning so suppression of one’s true self is the modus operandi.

Dr Carpenter cautioned after a heated exchange:

“We really must remember as professionals we must stay in our lane I will never pronounce as a Sociologist cause I am not a Sociologist ............When we have an opportunity to speak publicly we must be careful of what we say unless it is extremely well informed......”

See posts on APJ's work: HERE (newer entries will appear first so scroll to see older ones)

Dr Shelly Ann Weeks on Homophobia - What are we afraid of?

Former host of Dr Sexy Live on Nationwide radio and Sexologist tackles in a simplistic but to the point style homophobia and asks the poignant question of the age, What really are we as a nation afraid of?

It seems like homosexuality is on everyone's tongue. From articles in the newspapers to countless news stories and commentaries, it seems like everyone is talking about the gays. Since Jamaica identifies as a Christian nation, the obvious thought about homosexuality is that it is wrong but only male homosexuality seems to influence the more passionate responses. It seems we are more open to accepting lesbianism but gay men are greeted with much disapproval.

Dancehall has certainly been very clear where it stands when it comes to this issue with various songs voicing clear condemnation of this lifestyle. Currently, quite a few artistes are facing continuous protests because of their anti-gay lyrics. Even the law makers are involved in the gayness as there have been several calls for the repeal of the buggery law. Recently Parliament announced plans to review the Sexual Offences Act which, I am sure, will no doubt address homosexuality.

Jamaica has been described as a homophobic nation. The question I want to ask is: What are we afraid of? There are usually many reasons why homosexuality is such a pain in the a@. Here are some of the more popular arguments MORE HERE

Promised conscience vote was a fluke from the PNP ........

SO WE WERE DUPED EH? - the suggestion of a conscience vote on the buggery law as espoused by Prime Minister (then opposition leader) in the 2011 leadership debate preceding the last national elections was a dangling carrot for a dumb donkey to follow.

Many advocates and individuals interpreted Mrs Simpson Miller's pronouncements as a promise or a commitment to repeal or at least look at the archaic buggery law but I and a few others who spoke openly dismissed it all from day one as nothing more than hot air especially soon after in February member of parliament Damian Crawford poured cold water on the suggestion/promise and said it was not a priority as that time. and who seems to always open his mouth these days and revealing his thoughts that sometimes go against the administration's path.

I knew from then that as existed before even under the previous PM P. J. Patterson (often thought to be gay by the public) also danced around the issue as this could mean votes and loss of political power. Mrs Simpson Miller in the meantime was awarded a political consultants' democracy medal as their conference concludes in Antigua.

War of words between pro & anti gay activists on HIV matters .......... what hypocrisy is this?

War of words between pro & anti gay activists on HIV matters .......... what hypocrisy is this?

A war of words has ensued between gay lawyer (AIDSFREEWORLD) Maurice Tomlinson and anti gay activist Dr Wayne West (supposed in-laws of sorts) as both accuse each other of lying or being dishonest, when deception has been neatly employed every now and again by all concerned, here is the post from Dr West's blog

This is laughable to me in a sense as both gentleman have broken the ethical lines of advocacy respectively repeatedly especially on HIV/AIDS and on legal matters concerning LGBTQ issues

Urgent Need to discuss sex & sexuality II

Following a cowardly decision by the Minister(try) of Education to withdraw an all important Health Family Life, HFLE Manual on sex and sexuality

I examine the possible reasons why we have the homo-negative challenges on the backdrop of a missing multi-generational understanding of sexuality and the focus on sexual reproductive activity in the curriculum.

Calls for Tourism Boycotts are Nonsensical at This Time

(2014 protests New York)

Calling for boycotts by overseas based Jamaican advocates who for the most part are not in touch with our present realities in a real way and do not understand the implications of such calls can only seek to make matters worse than assisting in the struggle, we must learn from, the present economic climate of austerity & tense calm makes it even more sensible that persons be cautious, will these groups assist when there is fallout?, previous experiences from such calls made in 2008 and 2009 and the near diplomatic nightmare that missed us; especially owing to the fact that many of the victims used in the public advocacy of violence were not actual homophobic cases which just makes the ethics of advocacy far less credible than it ought to be.

See more explained HERE from a previous post following the Queen Ifrica matter and how it was mishandled

Newstalk 93FM's Issues On Fire: Polygamy Should Be Legalized In Jamaica 08.04.14

debate by hosts and UWI students on the weekly program Issues on Fire on legalizing polygamy with Jamaica's multiple partner cultural norms this debate is timely.

Also with recent public discourse on polyamorous relationships, threesomes (FAME FM Uncensored) and on social.

What do you think is the most important area of HIV treatment research today?

Do you think Lesbians could use their tolerance advantage to help push for gay rights in Jamaica??

Violence & venom force gay Jamaicans to hide

a 2009 Word focus report where the history of the major explosion of homeless MSM occurred and references to the party DVD that was leaked to the bootleg market which exposed many unsuspecting patrons to the public (3:59), also the caustic remarks made by former member of Parliament in the then JLP administration.

The agencies at the time were also highlighted and the homo negative and homophobic violence met by ordinary Jamaican same gender loving men.

The late founder of the CVC, former ED of JASL and JFLAG Dr. Robert Carr was also interviewed.

At 4:42 that MSM was still homeless to 2012 but has managed to eek out a living but being ever so cautious as his face is recognizable from the exposed party DVD, he has been slowly making his way to recovery despite the very slow pace.

Thanks for your Donations

Hello readers,

Thank you for your donations via Paypal in helping to keep this blog going, my limited frontline community work, temporary shelter assistance at my home and related costs. Please continue to support me and my allies in this venture that has now become a full time activity. When I first started blogging in late 2007 it was just as a pass time to highlight GLBTQ issues in Jamaica under then JFLAG's blogspot page but now clearly there is a need for more forumatic activity which I want to continue to play my part while raising more real life issues pertinent to us.

Information & Disclaimer

Individuals who are mentioned or whose photographs appear on this site are not necessarily Homosexual, HIV positive or have AIDS.

This blog contains pictures that may be disturbing. We have taken the liberty to present these images as evidence of the numerous accounts of homophobic violence meted out to alleged gays in Jamaica.

Faces and names withheld for the victims' protection.

This blog not only watches and covers LGBTQ issues in Jamaica and elsewhere but also general human rights and current affairs where applicable.

This blog contains HIV prevention messages that may not be appropriate for all audiences.

If you are not seeking such information or may be offended by such materials, please view labels, post list or exit.

Since HIV infection is spread primarily through sexual practices or by sharing needles, prevention messages and programs may address these topics.

This blog is not designed to provide medical care, if you are ill, please seek medical advice from a licensed practitioner

Thanks so much for your kind donations and thoughts.

As for some posts, they contain enclosure links to articles, blogs and or sites for your perusal, use the snapshot feature to preview by pointing the cursor at the item(s) of interest. Such item(s) have a small white dialogue box icon appearing to their top right hand side.

Recent Homophobic Cases

CLICK HEREfor related posts/labels and HEREfrom thegayjamaicawatch's BLOG containing information I am aware of. If you know of any such reports or incidents please contact lgbtevent@gmail.com or call 1-876-841-2923

Peace to you and be safe out there.

Love.

What to do if you are attacked (News You Can Use)

First, be calm: Do not panic; it may be very difficult to maintain composure if attacked but this is important.

Try to reason with the attacker: Establish communication with the person. This takes a lot of courage. However, a conversation may change the intention of an attacker.

Do not try anything foolish: If you know outmaneuvering the attacker is impossible, do not try it.

Do not appear to be afraid: Look the attacker in the eye and demonstrate that you are not fearful.

Steps to Take When Contronted or Arrested by Police

b) Only give name and address and no other information until a lawyer is present to assist

c) Try to be polite even if the scenario is tensed) Don’t do anything to aggravate the situation

e) Every complaint lodged at a police station should be filed and a receipt produced, this is not a legal requirement but an administrative one for the police to track reports

f) Never sign to a statement other than the one produced by you in the presence of the officer(s)

g) Try to capture a recording of the exchange or incident or call someone so they can hear what occurs, place on speed dial important numbers or text someone as soon as possible

h) File a civil suit if you feel your rights have been violated. When making a statement to the police have all or most of the facts and details together for e.g. "a car" vs. "the car" represents two different descriptions

j) Avoid having the police writing the statement on your behalf except incases of injuries, make sure what you want to say is recorded carefully, ask for a copy if it means that you have to return for it

What to do

b. Ask to see a lawyer immediately: if you don’t have the money ask for a Duty Council

c. A Duty Council is a lawyer provided by the state

d. Talk to a lawyer before you talk to the police

e. Tell your lawyer if anyone hits you and identify who did so by name and number

f. Give no explanations excuses or stories: you can make your defense later in court based on what you and your lawyer decided

g. Ask the sub officer in charge of the station to grant bail once you are charged with an offence

h. Ask to be taken before a justice of The Peace immediately if the sub officer refuses you bail

i. Demand to be brought before a Resident Magistrate and have your lawyer ask the judge for bail

j. Ask that any property taken from you be listed and sealed in your presence

Cases of Assault:An assault is an apprehension that someone is about to hit you

The following may apply:

1) Call 119 or go to the station or the police arrives depending on the severity of the injuries

2) The report must be about the incident as it happened, once the report is admitted as evidence it becomes the basis for the trial

3) Critical evidence must be gathered as to the injuries received which may include a Doctor’s report of the injuries.

4) The description must be clearly stated; describing injuries directly and identifying them clearly, show the doctor the injuries clearly upon the visit it must be able to stand up under cross examination in court.

5) Misguided evidence threatens the credibility of the witness during a trial; avoid the questioning of the witnesses credibility, the tribunal of fact must be able to rely on the witness’s word in presenting evidence

6) The court is guided by credible evidence on which it will make it’s finding of facts

7) Bolster the credibility of a case by a report from an independent disinterested party.

Sexual Health / STDs News From Medical News Today

VACANT AT LAST! SHOEMAKERGULLY: DISPLACED MSM/TRANS PERSONS WERE IS CLEARED DECEMBER 2014

CVM TV carried a raid and subsequent temporary blockade exercise of the Shoemaker Gully in the New Kingston district as the authorities respond to the bad eggs in the group of homeless/displaced or idling MSM/Trans persons who loiter there for years.

Question is what will happen to the population now as they struggle for a roof over their heads and food etc. The Superintendent who proposed a shelter idea (that seemingly has been ignored by JFLAG et al) was the one who led the raid/eviction.

I thought it opportune for October LGBT History Month to highlight the real reasons for the buggery law debated and passed in 1532/3 in England under King Henry VIII’s reign and his chief minister and author of the problematic legislation Thomas Cromwell which created nothing but grief over these many hundreds of years with repeals and re-enactments. He clearly presented himself as a radical evangelical reformer and a merciless politician changing his look and tone when it suits the occasion.

After listening a podcast with someone claiming to be an LGBT advocate as these days any fly by night can do so and then have some online social media presence/persona while having no real world experience I said to myself no wonder why we cannot or have not reached very far in the struggle; or the crap that keeps coming as facts from them. I guess social media has come to show up the men from the boys and the similarly daft anti gay folks just add more fuel to the flames. I aint no lawyer but just sheer common sense and wide availability of materials makes or ought to make our grasp of the issues far more wider and thus making us informed.

More LGBTQ History Posts (CLICK IMAGE)

WPA Position Statement on Gender Identity and Same-Sex Orientation, Attraction, and Behaviours

Background

Recent controversies in many countries suggest a need for clarity on same-sex orientation, attraction, and behaviour (formerly referred to as homosexuality).

Along with other international organisations, World Psychiatric Association (WPA) considers sexual orientation to be innate and determined by biological, psychological, developmental, and social factors.

Over 50 years ago, Kinsey et al (1948) documented a diversity of sexual behaviours among people. Surprisingly for the time, he described that for over 10% of individuals this included same-sex sexual behaviours. Subsequent population research has demonstrated approximately 4% of people identify with a same-sex sexual orientation (e.g., gay, lesbian, and bisexual orientations). Another 0.5% identify with a gender identity other than the gender assigned at birth (e.g., transgender) (Gates 2011). Globally, this equates to over 250 million individuals.

Psychiatrists have a social responsibility to advocate for a reduction in social inequalities for all individuals, including inequalities related to gender identity and sexual orientation.

Despite an unfortunate history of perpetuating stigma and discrimination, it has been decades since modern medicine abandoned pathologising same-sex orientation and behaviour (APA 1980) The World Health Organization (WHO) accepts same-sex orientation as a normal variant of human sexuality (WHO 1992). The United Nations Human Rights Council (2012) values Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) rights. In two major diagnostic and classification systems (International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) and DSM-5), same sex sexual orientation, attraction, and behaviour and gender identity are not seen as pathologies (WHO 1993, APA 2013).

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MSM/TRANS HOMELESS - FROM GULLY TO GRAVEYARD

When are lives interrupted be allowed a real honest chance to move from interruption to independence and stability? I just cannot tell you friends.

An article appeared in the gleaner today that just sent me into sadness mode again with this ugly business of LGBTQI homelessness. The author of the piece needs an intervention too as he (Ryon Jones) uses terms such as cross dressers and or homeless men which if transgender persons are present they cannot be described or seen as such, sigh another clear display of the lack of impact and reach of so called advocacies and advocates who are more interested in parading as working but really aint having much impact as they ought to or claim.

We are told of houses being put together from time in memorial; the Dwayne’s House project seems dead in the water, the Larry Chang (named after a JFLAG cofounder) seems stuck in the mud and Colour Pink’s so called Rainbow House seems insignificant in relation to the size and scope of the national problem. JFLAG as presented on this blog is obviously not interested in getting their hands dirty really on homelessness save and except for using the populations as cannon fodder and delegating same; as far as I am concerned presenting them as victims of homophobia which is true but where are the programs and the perceived millions donated or granted since President Obama’s visit to address LGBTQ matters?

So Shaggy said 'Jamaicans aren't killing gays' & He is a Lesbian ...... really!

Sadly when local artists especially are desperate for a forward or attention orchestrated interviews are one such method to to use to revive their fledgling careers it does have an impact on the all important credibility of the crisis communication component of LGBT public advocacy.

Seems as if he felt emboldened as rumours spread that Buju Banton would be released and deported to Jamaica as new guidelines on parole were supposed to come into effect. It turns out to be just hot air as technically he is not due for release till November 2018.

Yes there is a major difference between gay on gay violence or non romantic same gender liaisons gone bad with disastrous consequences and forced evictions, attacks and homophobic attacks. Shaggy obviously was playing on the public perceptions over the years of killings being that of jealousy as their causation than hatred and fear (especially of the feminine).

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Crisis communication is not intended to answer all questions or fill all needs it is just a basic outline of options you might consider if and when you are in the midst of a crisis and need help.

Crisis is any situation that threatens the integrity or reputation of your company or NGO, usually brought on by adverse or negative media attention. These situations can be any kind of legal dispute, and misrepresentations that could be attributed to your company. It can also be a situation where in the eyes of the media or general public your company did not react to one of the above situations in the appropriate manner. This definition is not all encompassing but rather is designed to give you an idea for the types of situations where you may need to follow a plan.

For purposes of this post the omission of same gender loving women in large part is not intentional or meant to exclude them but as there are hardly any documented records of such instances but more so on the side of MSM in my archives, men who have sex with men in the broader context. Exploitative same sex relational matters do often result in some injury from an unconfirmed standpoint when the grapevine system gets wind of them but when jealousy is the reason those conflicts tend not to often lead to a murder, it seems that there has been a preoccupation with more powerful or middle class victims whose cases are used to legitimize homophobia as if only such persons suffer same. A discussion of sorts has carried on in response to a Gleaner letter some days ago where the writer implored LGBT persons to report incidents to predominantly JFLAG while trying to differentiate intimate partner violence from genuine homophobic cases.

Here we are again this old familiar place as the homeless MSM/Transgender populations in the New Kingston district made news again for all the wrong reasons as they continue to be left out in the cold by uncaring lgbtq agencies and those who choose tokenism over serious interventions to help the men recover to some semblance of regularity in their lives.

A day after Homeless Awareness Month come to think of it and now this.

We also see some deceptive crisis reporting by some in advocacy on this as it was shown as a breaking news some time ago yet it turned out to be a lie. SEE MORE HERE

The selectivity of the anti gay religious voices on so called societal ills is examined in this podcast as other major issues that require the "church" to have spoken up including sexual abuse by pastors in recent times yet mere silence on those matters is highlighted.

Why are these groups and so called child rights activists creating mass hysteria and have so much strength for HOMOSEXUALITY but are quiet on corruption in government, missing children, crime in the country and so much more but want to stop same gender loving persons from enjoying peace of mind and PRIVACY?

Also is the disturbing tactic of deliberately conflating paedphilia with same gender sex as if to suggest reforming the buggery law will cause an influx of buggered children when we know that is NOT TRUE.

THE DELIBERATE MISUSE OF THE “SEXUAL GROOMING” TERM BY ANTIGAY FANATICS TO PROMOTE THEIR HYSTERIA

Just as I researched on-line in NOT EVEN five minutes and found a plethora of information and FACTS on Sexual Grooming (and thanks to Dr Karen Carpenter for some valuable insight I found out what Sexual Grooming was) so too must these fanatics go and do the same and stop creating panic in the country.

The hysteria continues from the Professor Bain so called protests to protect freedom of speech and bites at the credibility of the LGBT lobby collectively continues via Duppies Dupe UWI articles when the bigger principle of the conflict of interest in regards to the greater imperative of removing/preserving archaic buggery laws in the Caribbean dependent on which side one sits is of greater import when the professor’s court testimony in Belize went against the imperative of CHART/PANCAP goals is the more germane matter of which he was former head now temporarily reinstated via a court ex-parte injunction. The unnecessary uproar and shouting from the same hysterical uninformed quarters claiming moral concerns ....... MORE CLICK HERE

Former Prime Minister's call for tolerance not genuine ..................

I find it remarkable how politicians when they are not in the seat of power suddenly find all the morality in the world yet when active they are selective and politically pander to the right group(s) or individuals. Social and moral values decline he laments are on the decline yet he and others found it lucrative for political power found it necessary to use the very same decline or shifting values for retention of same.

I am not going to accept this call from PJ just like that on the face of it, self aggrandizement here as he seems to have forgotten what he has helped to put us through with regards to fueling homophobia and homo-negativity while being a powerful member of the PNP and as the longest serving Prime Minister

Promised Conscience vote on Buggery law not a priority right now (yet again) says PM

.............another delay, I mean push back, I mean fear of losing another election due to giving gay rights in the eyes of some and with a church breathing down the Simpson Miller administration on flexi-work week matters, the cry for jobs from even within her party, calls for care for the poor on her part, criticisms of too much travelling and no results to show, Goat Island shenanigans, Chinese money dangling like a carrot in front of a donkey (with no LGBT rights demands attached I might add)

I am NOT surprised at this.

Forgive me if I am cynical here more than usual but please!

The PM was cornered by journalists in the house as carried on TVJ: SEE MORE HERE with reactions from other advocates and a timeline on the shifting goal post of the conscience vote (suggested or promised as you see it)

Homeless MSM/Transgender persons tell their story via a documentary on Wicked Hype's site, faulty is the interviewer and the background noise but focus on the substance of the voices of the interviewed.

Sad that the solutions that should be coming from the LGBT lobbyists are not there as they ought to and pay attention to the No One Cares statement, it is as if the agencies do not exist, the interviewer clearly tried to get to the support element out but it never came in terms of powerful monied LGBT lobby groups. Check out the reference to Amsterdam and the rebuff of the Prime Minister.

BUSINESS DOWNTURN FOR THE WEED-WHACKING PROJECT FOR FORMER DISPLACED ST CATHERINE MSM

As promised here is another periodical update on an income generating/diligence building project now in effect for some now seven former homeless and displaced MSM in St Catherine, it originally had twelve persons but some have gotten jobs elsewhere, others have simply walked away and one has relocated to another parish, to date their weed whacking earning business capacity has been struggling as previous posts on the subject has brought to bear and although some LGBT persons residing in the parish have been approached by yours truly and others to increase client count for the men costs such as gas and maintenance of the four machines that are rotated between the enrolled men are rising weekly literally while the demand is instead decreasing due to various reasons.

Gender Identity/Transgenderism Radio Discussion Jamaica March 2014

Radio program Everywoman on Nationwide Radio 90FM March 20th 2014 with Dr Karen Carpenter as stand-in host with a transgender activist and co-founder of Aphrodite's P.R.I.D.E Jamaica and a gender non conforming/lesbian guest as well on the matters of identity, sex reassignment surgery and transexuality.

One Sydney Bartley the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Culture has filed an action in the Supreme Court claiming that accusations made against him sexually molesting a boy (age not given at this time) are not true and baseless and that the attempts to separate him from his post are improper.

Rumours have been swirling for months since late last year of late night in office romps with young males but no definitive proof has been brought to bear with even the Minister of Youth Lisa Hanna said to be resolute in not returning to the office until he had vacated same via taking early retirement leave, the Prime Minister is said to have been also briefed on the matter. CLICK HERE

sadly the case has simply vanished thus leading to a long held perception of affluent gay men who can wheel their way out of such accusations hence reinforcing the homo-negative and homophobic justification by the public at large.

Supreme Court Throws out Tolerance Ad/PSA case ...... full judgement now available for download

CLICK HERE The Jamaican Supreme Court threw out the case brought against television stations CVM TV, TVJ and PBCJ on November 15th on their refusal to air an ad/PSA (paid ad used in the case) recorded with the claimant Maurice Tomlinson and Yvonne Macallah Sobers of Families Against State Terrorism, FAST asking for tolerance. Radio Jamaica's Dionne Jackson Miller on her show Beyond The Headlines discussed the ruling with the attorneys for the parties involved. Bear in mind that radio Jamaica is the sister station to one of the TV stations that was sued by Mr Tomlinson (audio included) please pay particular attention to the lawyer for Public Broadcasting Commission of Jamaica, PBCJ Miss Taverna Chambers comments @ 15:35.....

The day after Queen Ifrica made her pro-marriage/anti gay comments at the National Grand Gala on August 6th 2013 Nationwide Radio hosted JFLAG's ED Dane Lewis and the two reggae/dancehall acts Queen Ifrica and Tony Rebel who JFLAG labelled as vitriolic by the lobby group but in the final analysis Mr Lewis capitulated in the exchange as when called to justify where the artists called for death to gays there was no proper defense.

Just goes to show that the younger cohort of activists do not understand the intricacies of the stop murder music campaign and that there are categories..

Listen carefully and objectively please and see if the action by another group of LGBT Jamaicans overseas known as JAGLA who went to get Queen Ifrica's work permit in Canada cancelled leading to many persons now accusing the lobby of becoming oppressors than tolerant and therefore undeserving of any equality..

Taboo Yardies: Film explores deep roots of homophobia in Jamaica

CLICK HERE for the clip as Producer Selena Blake explains her seminal work documentary Taboo Yardies that explores in a real way homo-negative feelings in Jamaica with interviews with real people and a former Prime Minister Bruce "Not in My Cabinet" Golding and other advocates.

Dwayne Jones (Gully Queen) Last Appearance prior to his murder

Here is the last video of Dwayne Jones aka Gully Queen inadvertently done by a television crew when they came across the homeless youths at an abandoned housing scheme in Western Jamaica, little did we know in death he would make such international headlines.

Sadly our transgender youth have been overlooked by now mainstream LGBT advocacies that Dwayne's homelessness ad exposure could have led to his demise via attack.

Alleged Gay men in St Catherine Home CVM TV 01 08 13

Mob descends on home in St Catherine to beat alleged gay men in house, police arrive to avert the doom, well at least they were professional and are to be commended for this one.

Now if they could just do so for other similar cases that would be good.

GO HERE for the full video please and others on GLBTQJA Youtube channel.

Give unto Ceasar what is due unto Caesar I say and the cops deserve commendations here, after all over the years some of their colleagues have made life hard for LGBTians in Jamaica with bullying, refusal to take reports at precincts and physical abuse.

So this one ended peacefully in a controlled situation professionally handled.

2012 Year in Review

A look back at 2012 and some of the issues affecting LGBT life and Advocacy on the island (CLICK IMAGE) from GLBTQJA on Blogger

The UTECH Gay Student Abuse Matter

Follow This Post for more on sister blog Gay Jamaica Watch (CLICK IMAGE)

We Are Jamaicans ...........Trans visibility finally lifted

Pity she won't be here on the island anymore as a voice for transgender awareness as the systems afforded her a chance to leave Jamaica to the US, the underground railroad is on so how are we to fight with dwindling numbers and leaders in advocacy more so interested in planting Jamaican LGBT persons overseas just to prove a point? ........... she departed our shores November 2013 for the USA

Jamaican Church says it won't support same sex unions (as if LGBT Jamaicans asked for that)

CVM TV carried this story on October 20, but at no time did the LGBT community in this country ever out-rightly asked for gay marriage rights and recognition,

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Homeless MSM evicted from Cargill Avenue (evening edition)

28/08/12 CVM TV again rebroadcast a story of homeless msm and the deplorable living conditions coupled with the almost sensationalistic narrative of the alleged commercial sex work the men are involved in.

Gay Jamaica Watch has been following this issue since 2009 when the older populations of MSM who were for the most part displaced due to forced evictions and homo negative issues and their re-displacement by agencies who on the face of it refused to put in place any serious social interventions to assist the men to recovery.

Jamaica Attitudes Towards Homosexuals Study 2012 on CVM's Live at 7

More on the Ian Boxill study commissioned by JFLAG and funded by AIDSFREEWORLD as discussed by host Elon Parkinson, it was revealed that 78% of Jamaicans are opposed to the repeal of the buggery law see more on

More on Cargill Avenue Homeless MSMs Eviction

CVM TV continued their coverage on Aug 30, 2012 of the story in their midday newscast of the Cargill eviction matter but disturbingly the men supposedly denied that they were commercial sex workers, CSWs which we know better, also the voice who indicated they were "Peer educators" clearly was lying, why would peer educators live in bushes?

The real homeless men lost a golden opportunity to speak on their issues to the nation and by extension the world but instead the moment was hijacked by some other persons.

Only the truth will make our advocacy effective, homeless or not and that is why in part the homophobes have justification for claiming lobby bullying and poor credibility on homophobic claims

DIscussing some LGBT issues from Jamaica on Australian gay radio

All Angles - Jamaica & Homophobia

with Arlene Harrison Henry, Reverend Clinton Chisholm and Dr Wayne West on homophobia in Jamaica with theocracy as a backdrop aired originally on Television Jamaica, TVJ, Ms Henry was on point in this program

Voice From The Street - Crime against Jamaican homosexuals (Homophobic or non homophobic?)

The Jamaica Observer vox pop after recent pronouncements by ACP Les Green (now abroad) and Betty Ann Blaine who says the gay lobby is in essence lying about homophobic murders.

Recent Homophobic Attacks

Who am I - Mr. H

A 44 year old easy going opinionated dude behind the Gay Jamaica Watch blogs; looking to chat and relate on LGBT matters of interest in Jamaica, Full time LGBT Blogger (4 blogs), Community Activist & Circuit/House Music DJ (DJ Howie) for 19 years; concerned about where our nation and by extension our community is heading.

GLOBALGAYZ

Alleged Gay Vice Principal Story & Securing Personal Digital Data

some angry residents reacting to the matter nearing the school

Another case of persons not managing their personal pictures and other materials via devices so much so that they end up making the rounds on social media. Such was the case of the Vice Principal - Mr. Wellington, who’s substantive post at the school is Vice Principal, told Nationwide news centre that he’s the victim of a cybercrime.

He says the images have been tampered with.

Dervon Wellington, Acting Principal of the Christiana High School in Manchester speaking to Nationwide’s Abka Fitz-Henley said but the shots looked quite clear to most and not photoshopped as is being contested.

In the meantime the Chairman of the Board of Christiana High, Calvin Lyn says a meeting was being organized then in December to address an issue which he says has implications for the institution.

All in all the gentlemen involved have since relocated overseas to avoid issues but a word to the wise is sufficient secure ones personal digital materials so that they do not get leaked, or hacked or stolen and then inadvertently find themselves online.

When Same Gender Relationships go Bad

A JAMAICAN WOMAN was remanded to Dodds for a month today after being charged with causing serious bodily harm to her live-in female companion.

Kerreon Ishane Kelly, 25, of Barker's Road, Haggatt Hall, St Michael, was not required to plead to the charge of doing serious bodily harm to Tishana Alphonso of the same address, with intent to maim, disfigure or disable her on January 8 this year.

Prosecutor Acting Station Sergeant Neville Watson objected to bail, noting that the victim was still in critical condition in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, and that there was a possibility of the accused leaving Barbados. Kelly, a Jamaican national, was remanded until February 19 2015

I was also made to understand that the alleged attacker later apologised for the vicious attack on Instagram.

She allegedly wrote: "Sometimes we let ignorancy get the best of us n we tend to do stuff we don't wanna do and then having regret ... today (Saturday), I did the most cruel thing of all my life and I just want to take a minute to just say how truly and deeply sorry I am. I never really get the seriousness of it until my fren send me a pic ... I want to make a public apology to my ex. I wouldn't wish such a evil act on anyone."